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Member Links Advocates for Children For over 25 years Advocates for Children of New York, Inc.
(AFC) has worked in with New York City's most impoverished and vulnerable
families to secure quality and public education services. AFC works on
behalf of children from infancy to age 21 who are at greatest risk for
school-based discrimination and/or academic failure–this includes
children with disabilities, ethnic minorities, immigrants, homeless children,
foster care children, limited English proficient children and those living
in poverty. AFC provides a full range of services: free individual case
advocacy, technical assistance, and training for parents, students, and
professionals about children's educational entitlements and due process
rights in New York City. (212) 947-9779 The American Association of University Women, New York City Branch, founded in 1886, is part of a state and national organization that supports a strong system of public education. It promotes gender fairness, equity and diversity for all students. AAUW advocates for adequate and equitable funding for public education in the city, the state and nationally; opposes use of public funds for non-public elementary and secondary schools and works to uphold Title IX. The branch sponsored the first New York City area Expanding Your
Horizons (TM) in Science, Math & Technology Conference for 150 7th
grade girls and 50 parents/teachers at Barnard College in partnership
with AAUW Westchester and Barnard, with the third annual conference
held in March 2006. Its aim is to encourage girls to continue studying
science, math and technology in high school to keep their future career
options open. The American Jewish Committee (AJC) maintains 32 regional offices in major cities nationwide. Through its vast local network, AJC is hard at work — in schools and synagogues, churches and community centers, city and state legislatures, businesses and civic associations -- developing and nurturing meaningful projects and programs, and responding to public concerns on the critical issues of the day. AJC sponsors the Hands Across the Campus Program, which teaches respect for diversity and at-risk youth. Schools may participate at no cost. If you are interested in this program contact Dr. Diane Steinman (212) 751-4000.
ASPIRA of New York Since its formation in 1961, ASPIRA has grown from a small non-profit counseling agency in New York City to a national association with offices in five states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. ASPIRA has had a historical impact on education reform in New York City. In 1974 ASPIRA initiated a lawsuit against the New York City Board of Education that resulted in the landmark decision that affirmed the right for Spanish-speaking and other foreign students to have bilingual education until they reach a level of proficiency in the English language that would facilitate equal access to education. ASPIRA has been an effective voice on behalf of the educational needs of Latino children, and has played a crucial role in helping to bridge the cultural and linguistic gap between Puerto Rican/Latino parents, and the New York City public and private schools. Based on its bonds of trust and understanding between students, their parents, and staff, ASPIRA has encouraged greater parental] involvement in their children’s education, and assisted in fostering better understanding between teachers and administrators. Association for the Help of
Retarded Children The Association for the Help of Retarded Children (AHRC) has membership of over 12,000 individuals–primarily persons with developmental disabilities, their families, friends and professionals in the field. The Association is one of the largest consumer-based nonprofit organizations in New York City. It is governed by a Board of Directors, two thirds of whom must be relatives of persons with developmental disabilities, working together with a staff of dedicated professionals. AHRC offers general and educational advocacy services to individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities who are experiencing difficulty in accessing services or have problems with the services being rendered. The Advocate will provide assistance in reviewing evaluations, securing additional evaluations, developing strategies to utilize in accessing needed services, explaining rights and negotiating systems. (212) 780-2500. Citizens' Committee for Children of New York, Inc. Citizens Committee for Children of New York (CCC) is a multi-issue children’s advocacy organization, which for more than 50 years has worked to make the wellbeing of children a priority in New York city. CCC educates New Yorkers about children’s issues, publishes reports, collects and disseminates data, provides technical assistance and support to policymakers, service providers, parent and civic groups, and monitors the implementation of federal, state, and local politics. CCC’s annual publication, Keeping Track of New York City’s Children, documents how well children are served across the City, neighborhood by neighborhood. (212) 673-1800. Community Service Society of
New York The Community Service Society (CSS) advocates for poor communities on education, housing, welfare, and health policy. CSS provides training, social services, and volunteers to communities and groups throughout the city. The Education Policy Department focuses on school equity and finance, standards, and program evaluation. The Department also stays abreast of current issues affecting New York City’s poor and minority communities, such as overcrowding, building repair, charter schools, and literacy. For more info on education services call (212) 254-8900. League of Women Voters of New
York City New York Urban League The New York Urban League, Inc. (the "League"), one of the local affiliates of the National Urban League, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, multi-ethnic, social service organization celebrating its 80th anniversary in 1999. Through direct service delivery, advocacy, referrals, community capacity building, information dissemination and technical assistance, the League accomplishes its mission to improve social and economic conditions and opportunities for African-Americans and other people who face barriers to full participation in American society. The New York Urban League has a number of educational programs, some in collaboration with other organizations. They include: the Community Achievement Projects in Schools (CAPS), the Parent Resource Center, the SAT Preparation and Tutorial Program, the Scholarship Builder Program, the Educational Information and Advocacy Resource Center, Project PRISM (Parents for Reform in Science/Math), and the Summer Internship Program (SIP). NY Urban League also offers a variety of scholarship programs. (718) 756-3032. Parent to Parent of New York
State People for the American Way
Foundation People for the American Way is committed to defending the values on which our country was founded: pluralism; individuality; freedom of thought; expression, and religion. The organization works to promote full citizen participation, to strengthen public schools, and to safeguard the principles of the Constitution from those who threaten the American Dream. In support of public education, People for the American way encourages progressive educational reform, participates in school board elections, and assists educators threatened by censorship. The organization is in the forefront of the battle against private school vouchers. (212) 944-5820. Presbytery of New York City Reformed Church in America,
Synod of New York The Synod of New York is the most diverse of all the Reformed Church of America's seven regional synods. It is made up of rural, suburban, and city churches. Currently, the Synod enjoys the participation of 24 Asian churches, 13 African-American churches, and four Hispanic churches. Many of its congregations are multi-cultural and multi-racial. The Regional Synod of New York represents 63 New York City congregations who take seriously Christ’s command to love our neighbor as we have been loved. We are therefore committed to the value that all God’s children have access to an educational system designed and structured to enable every child to reach his/her fullest potential. The Synod lives this value as they seek to communicate to and mobilize its membership around issues and decisions that affect the quality and availability of public schools for all New York City children. (718) 465-4309. Resources for Children with
Special Needs, Inc. Resources for Children with Special Needs is a an independent, not-for-profit organization that provides: information and referral, case management and support, individual and systemic advocacy, parent and professional training, and library and information services to New York City parents and caregivers of children with disabilities and special needs and to the professionals who work with them. Resources also publishes a Special Camp Guide and a semi-annual Bulletin, and maintains a comprehensive database of other programs and services available in the NYC region. Spanish is spoken. (212) 677-4650. Rheedlen Centers For Children
& Families The Rheedlen Centers for Children and Families bring safety and humanity to children, youth and families who too often have experienced little of it in their urban New York neighborhoods. The three centers are physically located in New York City public schools, providing a safe, stable environment for positive educational counseling, and recreational experiences to over 2,000 children ages 5 and up. Rheedlen Centers offer a wide variety of activities for young people. These include social and recreational activities, arts and creativity classes, physical and health development workshops, sports leagues, personal and social development counseling, mental health services, housing assistance and health care. (212) 866-0700. United Neighborhood Houses United Neighborhood Houses of New York, Inc., founded in 1919, is the nonprofit umbrella organization for 37 settlement houses in NYC. 9,000 employees operate more that 430 programs and activities in 259 locations, reaching 500,000 New Yorkers each year. Over 95 percent of the total staff provides direct services, which include early childhood education, after-school programs, teen centers, English-as-a-Second-Language, GED classes, job training tutoring, recreation, meals for the elderly, mental health counseling, drug prevention, art music, and drama. (212) 481-5570. United Parents Associations
of NYC United Parents Association's (UPA) mission is to help secure the best possible education for New York City public school students by providing parents with the information and skill needed to navigate the system effectively on behalf of their individual children and that of their wider school community. UPA is a citywide organization that offers information training and technical and parent assistance to parent leaders. UPA’s membership is comprised of hundreds of parent associations and parent-teacher associations in public schools across the city. (212) 594-3940. Women’s City Club of New
York Founded by suffragists in 1915, the Women's City Club of New York is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that fosters active responsible citizen participation in shaping public policy decisions affecting the New York City community. The Women's City Club of New York identifies, studies and analyzes public policy issues; publishes reports and recommendations; informs government officials and the public about the impact of policy decisions; provides a respected forum for public discussion of policy alternatives; and works vigorously to affect public policy to make the city a better place for all. (212) 353-8070. |
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